The Role of Digital Media in Early Childhood Education and Care: A Qualitative Analysis of Educators' Perceptions

Digital media is increasingly shaping the ways in which children learn, communicate, and participate in everyday activities from an early age. The aim of this study was to examine how educators in early childhood education and care perceive the role of digital media in children's learning, behaviour, and development, with particular emphasis on patterns of use, educational potential, and the role of educators and parents in mediating children's digital experiences. The study specifically contributes to understanding these issues within the Croatian preschool context, where qualitative research on educators' everyday experiences with digital media remains limited. The study employed a qualitative approach using focus groups conducted with a sample of 20 female educators from Croatia, organised into four focus groups. The data were analysed using thematic analysis. The findings suggest that educators perceive digital media as a useful yet complex pedagogical tool whose value depends on the way it is used. A distinction was particularly evident between passive and active use of digital content, with active, guided, and purposeful use perceived as having greater educational potential. At the same time, educators also recognised the potential of digital media to support children's learning, motivation, creativity, and engagement when integrated meaningfully into educational activities. Educators emphasized the importance of their own role in guiding children's digital experiences, as well as the significant influence of the family environment on patterns of media use. They also highlighted challenges related to excessive screen exposure, the lack of clear pedagogical guidelines, and the need for additional professional support. The findings suggest the importance of strengthening educators' digital competences, supporting collaboration with parents, and developing clearer pedagogical guidance for the use of digital media in early childhood education and care.